SANGHAR: According to the final report of Fact-Finding Committee (led by Sindh Additional IGP, Counter-Terrorism Dept, Azad Khan, comprised Karachi West Zone Deputy IGP Irfan Baloch and Sanghar SSP Abid Baloch), DawnNews reporter Khawar Hussain Bajwa committed suicide and was NOT murdered.
His body was found on 16th August in the driving seat of his car parked on Hyderabad road here. Fact Finding Committee, after keen observation of the CCTV footage, pointed out that no one approached his vehicle: “It is clear from the firearm forensic report that the lone bullet that caused [the] death of the deceased was fired from his 9mm licensed pistol, recovered from his right hand…
“The blackening around the entry wound mentioned in the first postmortem report of Civil Hospital Sanghar suggests a close-range shot. The re-postmortem carried out at LUH (Liaquat University Hospital), Hyderabad, mentions blackening, charring (burn around wound margin) and muzzle mark (abrasion/imprint of muzzle of weapon on skin) at entry wound.”
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) stated on 19th August: “Karachi-based journalist Khawar Hussain was found shot dead in his vehicle on 16th August in the city of Sanghar under suspicious circumstances.
“The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in condemning the killing and demanding a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the case. Sanghar police discovered Hussain’s body inside his vehicle parked on a main road.
“The veteran Dawn News political correspondent had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, with a licensed pistol registered in his name found in his hand. Police initially found the cause of death to be suicide, however Hussain’s family and colleagues strongly rejected this claim and alleged the journalist was murdered, stating that he was financially stable and not likely to have committed suicide.
“Local authorities formed a high-level investigative committee on 17th August amid doubts at the initial police account, with data on Hussain’s mobile phone found to have been erased prior to the incident, despite mobile company records confirming the device was active shortly before his death.
“A second post-mortem, requested by Hussain’s brother over discrepancies with the initial autopsy, reported no signs of torture. Forensic testing remains underway, with medical examiners stating that the cause of death cannot be conclusively determined until results are complete.
“A number of journalist organisations, including the PFUJ and Karachi Press Club, have urged the Sindh government to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation. The IFJ is continuing to closely monitor developments with the case.
“The IFJ has documented at least 184 incidents of violence against journalists in Sindh between 2018 and 2023, including 10 journalists killed in the province. Hussain is the second media worker to be killed in Pakistan in 2025, with journalist Abdul Latif Baloch shot and killed by a state-backed militia inside his home in the Balochistan province on 24th May.
“The PFUJ said: “We express deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of journalist Khawar Hussain. We strongly urge the authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident to ensure that the facts are brought to light and justice is served.”
“IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Pakistan remains the deadliest country for media workers in the Asia-Pacific region, and while the recent media protection bill is a welcome first step, authorities must take further urgent action to protect journalists from threats, intimidation, and violence. The IFJ demands an immediate and transparent investigation into the killing of Khawar Hussain and an end to impunity for crimes against journalists.”
Newspakistan.tv
